how our area representatives voted
The following bills were passed by the state House of Representatives and sent to the Senate for concurrence. Here’s how our area representatives voted on them:
House Bill 2162
The bill would streamline the pharmaceutical licensing process by allowing biomedical and drug manufacturers to apply for state licenses while their products are pending FDA approval.
Vote: 202-0
Yes: Jamie Barton, Gary Day, Doyle Heffley, Zach Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2388
The bill would allow businesses, government agencies and utilities to voluntarily round face-to-face physical cash transactions to the nearest nickel in order to navigate the penny shortage.
Vote: 187-15
Yes: Jamie Barton, Gary Day, Doyle Heffley, Zach Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2437
The bill would expand the allowable use of Act 13 (unconventional gas well) funds, permitting counties to directly invest this revenue into county and municipal bridge repairs.
Vote: 202-0
Yes: Jamie Barton, Gary Day, Doyle Heffley, Zach Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2496
The bill would empower local governments to impose up to a 180-day (six-month) “pause” on data center applications. This breathing room allows municipalities to research, draft and implement comprehensive land-use ordinances concerning energy, water usage and public safety.
Vote: 201-1
Yes: Jamie Barton, Gary Day, Doyle Heffley, Zach Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2555
The bill would strengthen traceability and consumer protections in equine sales. It establishes clear documentation requirements for horses sold by dealers to improve disease prevention (such as mitigating the threat of the New World screwworm) and foster a more transparent marketplace.
Vote: 194-8
Yes: Jamie Barton, Gary Day, Doyle Heffley, Zach Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2621
The bill would establish the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) within the Department of Health to collect and analyze population-based data on maternal and child health. The program aims to survey individuals who recently had a live birth to evaluate preconception and postpartum behaviors.
Vote: 190-12
Yes: Jamie Barton, Gary Day, Doyle Heffley, Zach Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2650
The bill would require data center developers to meet strict environmental and community benchmarks to qualify for state tax benefits.
Vote: 134-68
Yes: Gary Day
No: Jamie Barton, Doyle Heffley, Zach Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2198
The bill would repeal the state’s Computer Data Center Equipment Incentive Program, effectively ending the sales and use tax exemption for data centers.
Vote: 197-5
Yes: Jamie Barton, Gary Day, Doyle Heffley, Zach Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2014
The bill would amend the state’s Child Labor Act by expanding the volunteer opportunities and training hours for junior firefighters and emergency medical service personnel ages 14 and 15. It would allow minors (ages 14 and 15) to participate in authorized training and emergency service activities until 10 p.m. every night of the year, and authorize junior firefighters to ride in official emergency vehicles to fire scenes or emergency responses under specific, regulated conditions.
Vote: 202-0
Yes: Jamie Barton, Gary Day, Doyle Heffley, Zach Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2037
The bill would prohibit elected officials and their immediate family members from creating, endorsing or promoting cryptocurrencies and other digital assets for personal financial gain during their time in office.
Vote: 131-71
Yes: Gary Day and Doyle Heffley.
No: Jamie Barton, Zach Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2512
The bill would protect consumers by prohibiting ride-sharing companies from setting prices based on a customer’s device condition, such as lower phone battery or device model.
Vote: 198-4
Yes: Jamie Barton, Gary Day, Doyle Heffley, Zach Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2644
The bill would authorize $4.77 billion for statewide bridge rehabilitation and improvement projects. The bill would earmark $3.8-billion for state bridge projects, while $962 million is allocated for municipal and non-state bridge projects with up to 80% cost-sharing grant.
Vote: 202-0
Yes: Jamie Barton, Gary Day, Doyle Heffley, Zach Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2359
The bill would require new data center developers to obtain GRID certification — proving commitments to energy affordability, community benefits and environmental protection — to qualify for state tax breaks like the computer sales tax exemption.
Vote: 171-31
Yes: Gary Day and Doyle Heffley.
No: Jamie Barton, Zack Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2455
The bill would grant Pittsburgh Public Schools administrators — such as principals and vice principals _ the right to collectively bargain, adding Pittsburgh Public Schools to the list of districts whose administrators are authorized to unionize.
Vote: 106-96
No: Jamie Barton, Gary Day, Doyle Heffley, Zach Mako and Jack Rader.
House Bill 2460
The bill would authorize public school districts to offer elective Hunter-Trapper Education programs for students in grades 6-12. Participation is strictly voluntary, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission is directed to develop the age-appropriate curriculum.
Vote: 180-22
Yes: Jamie Barton, Gary Day, Doyle Heffley and Zach Mako.
No: Jack Rader.